Socotra, Yemen — Yemeni authorities successfully evacuated 179 foreign tourists from the remote island of Socotra on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, transporting them to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as internal conflicts in southern Yemen disrupted air travel and stranded hundreds of visitors.
The operation, coordinated with Yemenia Airways, local officials, Saudi authorities, and foreign embassies, marked the first major evacuation effort after days of flight suspensions. Yemen's Foreign Ministry announced that a Yemenia flight departed Socotra early Wednesday morning, carrying the 179 passengers to Jeddah as a transit point for onward travel to their home countries. Additional flights were planned in the coming hours to evacuate the remaining tourists, prioritizing their safety amid the ongoing instability.
Local and international media reports indicate that more than 400 to 600 foreign tourists had been stranded on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed island, known for its unique biodiversity and pristine landscapes. Visitors, including citizens from Italy, Australia, the United States, Poland, Russia, and other nations, arrived for eco-tourism but found themselves unable to leave when commercial flights halted due to the escalating rift between Saudi-backed government forces and the UAE-supported Southern Transitional Council (STC).
The crisis on Socotra stemmed directly from broader unrest in mainland southern Yemen. Early this week, pro-government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, recaptured the vast eastern provinces of Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra—which together comprise nearly half of Yemen's territory—from STC fighters. The STC had seized control of these regions last month in a rapid offensive that heightened tensions within the anti-Houthi coalition.
Government troops, including units from the Homeland Shield Forces and Giants Brigades, entered key cities such as Mukalla in Hadhramaut without significant resistance, as STC units withdrew or redeployed. Similar advances occurred in Al-Mahra, bordering Oman. These gains followed Saudi-led airstrikes targeting STC positions and came amid military reshuffles by Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), including the dismissal of the Aden governor and appointments of new commanders.
The recapture reversed STC territorial expansions that began in December 2025, when separatist forces moved into Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra, citing security concerns and alleged marginalization of southern regions. The Yemeni government and Saudi officials accused the United Arab Emirates of directing or encouraging the STC's actions, particularly along Saudi Arabia's southern border. Abu Dhabi denied these allegations, describing them as baseless and reaffirming its commitment to Yemen's unity.
The STC, established in 2017 and backed primarily by the UAE, advocates for southern autonomy or independence, arguing that successive Yemeni governments—dominated by northern interests—have politically and economically sidelined the south since unification in 1990. The council has controlled much of southern Yemen, including Aden, since 2019 clashes, despite the 2019 Riyadh Agreement intended to integrate its forces into the national government structure. Recent events have seen the STC announce a draft constitution for an independent south and call for a referendum within two years, escalating demands amid the fighting.
This intra-coalition conflict has fractured the Saudi-led alliance fighting the Iran-backed Houthis, who control northern Yemen including the capital Sanaa. The Houthis have capitalized on the southern divisions, continuing Red Sea attacks in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, though a fragile UN-mediated truce has largely held on the northern front.
The flight disruptions affecting Socotra began as the UAE reportedly reduced its military presence in Yemen, including support for air operations on the island, which has been under nominal STC influence. Socotra's airport, a key link for tourism, saw all outgoing flights suspended, leaving visitors reliant on limited supplies and accommodations. Stranded tourists described the situation as tense but calm, with no direct threats on the island itself, though anxiety grew over prolonged isolation.
Individual countries initiated repatriation efforts alongside the Yemeni operation. Italy evacuated dozens of its citizens, with one flight carrying 46 tourists to Jeddah. Similar arrangements were reported for Polish, Russian, and other nationals, often routing through Saudi Arabia due to its logistical support and proximity.
The evacuation to Jeddah underscores Saudi Arabia's role in stabilizing the situation, providing a neutral hub for tourists to connect to international flights. Yemeni officials emphasized that the measures were apolitical, focused solely on humanitarian grounds to ensure safe departures.
As of Wednesday evening, authorities reported progress in clearing the backlog, with expectations that most remaining tourists would depart within days. However, the underlying political crisis shows no immediate signs of resolution. The PLC has consolidated control in Aden and eastern provinces, while STC leaders have faced internal challenges, including reports of their president evading talks in Riyadh.
Analysts warn that the Saudi-UAE proxy rift risks prolonging Yemen's multifaceted war, exacerbating the world's worst humanitarian crisis affecting millions with famine, disease, and displacement. UN envoy Hans Grundberg has called for urgent dialogue to prevent further fragmentation.
Socotra, often called the "Galápagos of the Indian Ocean" for its endemic species, has seen a tourism boom in recent years despite Yemen's conflicts, attracting adventure seekers to its dragon's blood trees, white-sand beaches, and rugged terrain. The stranding incident highlights the fragility of such remote destinations amid regional instability.
Yemeni authorities reaffirmed their commitment to national unity, rejecting secessionist claims while pledging to address southern grievances through inclusive governance. The STC, meanwhile, maintains that only independence or substantial federalism can resolve longstanding inequities.
The events of early January 2026 represent a pivotal moment in Yemen's civil war, testing the cohesion of the anti-Houthi bloc and raising questions about future Gulf involvement.
